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Women’s Football
26 January 2022
Lead MP
Julie Elliott
Sunderland Central
Lab
Responding Minister
Nigel Huddleston
Tags
Employment
Word Count: 9924
Other Contributors: 8
At a Glance
Julie Elliott raised concerns about women’s football in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
I ask the Government to provide a more definitive timescale for when they will publish their full response to the fan-led review and commit to conducting a wholesale review of women's football as recommended in the report. Additionally, I request information on adding the women's equivalent of men's sports to the listed events regime.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
I am concerned about the recent situation faced by Coventry United women's football club, where players and staff were informed two days before Christmas that their contracts would be terminated due to financial troubles. This highlights issues such as governance structures, working conditions for women players, and lack of respect and support within the women's game compared to men's football. The average wage in the men's championship is around £35,000 a week, while Coventry's team had an average wage of just £16,000 per year before liquidation.
Alison McGovern
Lab
Birkenhead
Ms McGovern highlighted the historical ban on women playing professional football in the UK, noting that this has contributed to current inequalities. She emphasized the need for more pitches and fairer treatment at both grassroots and professional levels, citing examples like the wage gap between Lauren James and her brother Reece James. Ms McGovern also praised Sue Campbell and Kelly Simmons from the Football Association for their work.
Chris Evans
Lab Co-op
Caerphilly
He discussed the historical ban on women's football by the Football Association in 1921, highlighting its impact and arguing that it was not due to health concerns but rather competition with men's football. He called for the FA to correct this mistake by investing in women's football clubs and academies, increasing media coverage, and encouraging spectatorship. Evans mentioned Don Revie as an example of a victim of cancel culture within football. He cited John Williams from the University of Leicester, who said that increased media coverage of women's sport represents a visible threat to some men, reflecting historical attitudes towards women's football.
Derek Twigg
Lab
Widnes and Halewood
Reminded Members to wear face coverings, follow Government guidance on lateral flow tests, and asked them to respect social distancing measures.
Jeff Smith
Lab
Manchester Withington
The Member praised the growth in women's football, noting record crowds and increased participation. He highlighted challenges such as club instability, low pay, poor access to facilities, and gender-based abuse. He called for a separate dedicated review of the women's game based on the fan-led review recommendations.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Commended Tracey Crouch for inspiring women's football teams, mentioning a visit to Comber women's football club in 2014 that is still remembered seven years later.
Kim Leadbeater
Lab
Spen Valley
Kim Leadbeater, a Labour MP from Spen Valley and a new member of the cross-party parliamentary women's football team, highlighted barriers to female participation in football. She pointed out that women's teams often receive second-hand equipment and poor pitches after boys' or men's games. There are fewer opportunities for girls and women to progress within the sport due to lack of funding, media coverage, and coaching support. Female referees face significant abuse and sexist attitudes at clubs. Leadbeater urged Parliament to address these issues to ensure that football is a welcoming environment for all.
Taiwo Owatemi
Lab
Coventry North West
Ms Owatemi expressed gratitude for the opportunity to discuss women's and girls' football, highlighting its growth in the UK. She discussed barriers faced by female players, such as financial pressures leading to club liquidation and cultural attitudes that discourage participation. She provided an example of Coventry United Ladies FC facing near-liquidation due to pandemic-related financial issues, only saved through community efforts and a local company takeover.
Tracey Crouch
Con
Chatham and Aylesford
Celebrated the growth in women's football participation, noting it has doubled since the FA's 'Gameplan for Growth' was published five years ago. Raised concerns about difficulties transitioning from school to club-level play, requiring joined-up thinking with the Department for Education and partners. Highlighted challenges faced by professional female players regarding contracts and working conditions at Coventry and Charlton. Called for an independent review into women's football as recommended in the fan-led review. The Minister was aware that the Home Office had tabled an amendment to extend football banning orders in order to tackle online racist abuse, suggesting this could be an opportunity to ensure that football-related matters are covered.
Government Response
Nigel Huddleston
Government Response
The Minister praised the progress of women's football in recent years but acknowledged that there is still much work to be done. He mentioned the establishment of a working group to explore challenges and opportunities in women's sport, which has shaped thinking within the Department considerably. The Minister announced plans to add the women's World cup and Euros to the listed events regime after a short re-consultation ending on 16 February. He highlighted concerns about misogyny and hatred online, and stated that they are looking closely at how the Online Harms Bill might tackle this issue. Huddleston also discussed investment in pitches and multi-sport facilities for grassroots level growth, as well as the impact of the pandemic on women's sport, including a lack of media coverage and loss of sponsorship deals. He mentioned the fan-led review's recommendation that women's football should be treated with parity and given its own dedicated review. The Minister committed to working closely with stakeholders across the House to help women's sport come out of the pandemic stronger than ever.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.